New Footage of Armed Suspect at Guthrie Home Reinvigorates Search for Missing 84-Year-Old
Recently released images and videos depicting an armed, masked individual outside the Tucson residence of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie, have injected new energy into the investigation into her disappearance. This footage, captured by a doorbell camera, may provide investigators with critical leads as they work to unravel the mystery surrounding her suspected abduction in the early hours of February 1.
Doorbell Camera Footage Recovered with Google's Assistance
The video and images were recorded by Guthrie's Nest-made doorbell camera and were recovered with technical support from Google, according to a source familiar with the investigation who spoke to CNN's Brian Stelter. Authorities made the footage public on Tuesday, February 10, in a strategic move to enlist the public's help in identifying the individual shown.
Suspect's Inexperience with Firearms Noted by Law Enforcement Experts
Law enforcement analysts examining the footage have highlighted the suspect's apparent lack of experience with firearms. The individual is seen carrying a pistol in a holster at the waist, but experts question the tactical soundness of this setup. CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI, remarked:
"In my opinion, this is not someone, first of all, who was ever trained to carry a gun. No person with law enforcement or military training would ever carry a firearm in a holster like that... It's not very tactically sound for a lot of reasons."
Retired FBI supervisory special agent Steve Moore added further insight, noting the mismatch between the weapon and its holster:
"It's kind of ridiculous. He's got a small, semiautomatic pistol meant for concealment that he could have put in his pocket, but instead he's holstering it in a holster made for a large-frame revolver. They don't even match."
Full Coverage Suggests Attempt to Avoid Leaving DNA Evidence
The suspect is fully covered in the footage, wearing a mask, gloves, jacket, long pants, a holster, and a backpack. CNN senior correspondent Josh Campbell, a former FBI agent, suggested this attire "could have been a purposeful attempt to try to prevent leaving behind any DNA at the scene, from skin or hair fibers, as well as fingerprints." Campbell also mentioned that investigators will analyze these items to identify their brands and potential points of sale, as authorities have been canvassing clothing and hardware stores to see if employees recall anyone purchasing such items.
Movement Patterns and Lack of Urgency Offer Recognition Clues
The video captures the suspect's movements outside Guthrie's home, including attempts to obstruct the camera. Josh Schirard, a former SWAT commander, told CNN that movement can be a key identifier:
"We recognize people more by the way that they move than by visual cues, often. Understanding how they're moving, seeing them walk back and forth, is definitely a great way to recognize someone that you might know," even when other features are hidden.
Experts also observed a lack of urgency in the suspect's approach. McCabe noted the movements were "not particularly furtive or concerned," while former FBI agent Bryanna Fox commented:
"He almost saunters up like that's his house. There is a lack of concern that he's going to be caught... He still has this kind of air of bravado, that he's going to be able to get away with this."
Attempt to Obstruct Camera Indicates Poor Planning
The footage shows the individual first trying to block the lens with a gloved hand, then picking up shrubbery to cover the camera. Campbell pointed out that this raises questions about the suspect's sophistication:
"This does raise questions about his sophistication and any pre-planning. If he had actually conducted surveillance on the home and saw a camera, he would have brought with him means of obstructing it."
Moore added that these actions suggest inexperience, stating, "What this strikes me as is somebody who doesn't know what he doesn't know... I believe this is the first time he's ever done something like this."
Ongoing Public Appeal for Information
Authorities continue to appeal to the public, hoping that the release of these images and video will prompt anyone with information to come forward. This could be crucial in solving the case and locating Nancy Guthrie, whose disappearance has sparked widespread concern.
